With Uruguay and England suffering defeats in their opening Group D games to Costa Rica and Italy respectively, both sides need a result in Sao Paulo to aid their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.

Oscar Tabarez's side, however, will now be without Lugano, 33, who has has been prevented from training properly in recent days by a pain in his left knee.

The Uruguay Football Federation (AUF) confirmed the news via a statement on its official website on Wednesday.

The statement read: "The AUF hereby informs that Diego Lugano has been ruled out for the match to be played against England on Thursday June 19.

"He has suffered pain in his left knee... which has intensified in recent days, preventing his proper sporting performance.

"An MRI scan has found no specific problems which would require surgical treatment. He will receive physiotherapy and his progress will be monitored.''